Courts / Limerick / Report

US Judge sues FAI

Date
2014-05-07

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

US Judge John McCarthy III, a municipal judge in New Jersey and former chairman of Limerick FC, is suing the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and several individuals, including CEO John Delaney, for alleged breach of contract and punitive damages. He claims to have lost approximately €280,000 on his investment in Limerick Thirty Seven FC Ltd. The defendants deny the claims. In a hearing before Mr Justice Michael White, the FAI applied for an order requiring McCarthy to provide €87,000 in security for costs, arguing the action is without merit and that enforcing a costs judgment in the US would be difficult. McCarthy's counsel opposed the motion, stating he lacks liquid assets due to the investment loss and that the requirement would deny him access to the courts. He offered to place a Dublin property, owned by a US company in which he holds an 88% stake, into his own name as security. The judge reserved his decision on the security for costs application. Separately, the court dismissed McCarthy's proceedings against Limerick District Council, agreeing with the council's lawyers that the claim displayed no cause of action.